For Immediate Release Contact: Julie Liew Jan. 30, 2017 651-259-1917 [email protected]

Bill to boost LGA funding generates strong bipartisan support Rural, urban and suburban legislators sign on to legislation that adds $45.5M to LGA program

ST. PAUL—Under new legislation introduced today, cities across could see an increase in the amount of Local Government Aid they receive from the state.

SF 476, authored by Sen. (R-Luverne), and HF 672, authored by Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck), would add $45.5 million to the LGA program over the next two years. This legislation would bring funding for the LGA program back to its 2002 benchmark.

“I want to thank Sen. Weber and Rep. Anderson, and all of the co-authors, for their commitment to ensuring that every community in our state can continue to be a great place to live and work,” said Sara Carlson, mayor of Alexandria and president of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities (CGMC). “LGA is absolutely essential to keeping our cities and state strong, and this legislation gives it a much-needed boost.”

The bill is notable for its wide mix of co-authors representing districts in every corner of the state.

In addition to Sen. Weber, the Senate bill has four co-authors (the maximum number allowed in that body): Sen. Jeremy Miller (R-Winona), Sen. David Senjem (R-Rochester), Sen. Tom Bakk (DFL-Cook) and Sen. (DFL-Minneapolis).

In the House, which has no limit on the number of co-authors, chief author Rep. Anderson is joined by 17 others: Rep. Keith Franke (R-St. Paul Park), Rep. (R-Mountain Lake), Rep. Clark Johnson (DFL-North Mankato), Rep. (R-Ghent), Rep. (R-Lake Shore), Rep. (R-St. Cloud), Rep. (R-Clearbrook), Rep. Jason Metsa (DFL-Virginia), Rep. (R-Pine City), Rep. (DFL- Moorhead), Rep. (R-Grove City), Rep. (DFL-Dilworth), Rep. Mike Nelson (DFL-Brooklyn Park), Rep. (R-Fergus Falls), Rep. (R-Browns Valley), Rep. (DFL-St. Paul) and Rep. (DFL-Minneapolis).

“The fact that this bill has attracted legislators from both political parties and all parts of the state – rural, urban and suburban – just goes to show how important LGA is,” Carlson said. “It can be a real challenge for lawmakers to find common ground these days, but it’s clear that there is strong bipartisan support for LGA.”

Securing an LGA increase has been the top priority for the CGMC for the past two years. The Legislature last increased funding for LGA in 2014, but the overall state appropriation has not kept up with inflation and still lags behind where it was 15 years ago. If the Legislature does not pass a tax bill with an LGA increase this year, the total amount of LGA cities receive will remain frozen.

“LGA allows cities to provide important services and keep property taxes in check,” Carlson said. “With rapidly rising costs, we cannot afford another year of stagnant LGA. We hope the Legislature will support this legislation to help strengthen cities across Minnesota.”

The Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy organization representing 88 cities outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Coalition educates legislators about issues important to Greater Minnesota. Visit the CGMC online at greatermncities.org.

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